12 January 2012 Update: WOW — this is a popular blog entry. However, I’m not a charity; I’m just a person who had too much yarn and wanted to donate it somewhere. So I wrote this blog entry for others who had the same problem. But some links/organizations didn’t exist anymore. So here’s an update (all updates italicized).

As mentioned in earlier posts, I bought about a year and a half ago many skeins of rough, wool yarn, about $100 worth of it, at about (if I recall) $1 a pound. It was an awesome deal: a rug manufacturing company was going out of business and was selling its yarn stock at cheap, clearance prices, which Happycrow made me aware of as he himself was looking for yarn to buy for his brother and sister-in-law (who knit).

It was such a good deal, that, like a person whose eyes are bigger than his/her stomach at a buffet, I bought more than I could possibly use. For, in the hobby world of crocheting and knitting, it’s not always a good idea to buy too much of one kind of yarn, as different projects call for different kinds of yarn — not only in color, but also varying degrees of softness and texture.

I ended up buying about 100 pounds of one kind of yarn — rough wool yarn, suitable for tapestries, rugs, and perhaps rough horseblankets and hats. But, unfortunately, it’s a little too rough for against-the-skin pieces, like sweaters, socks, scarves, and throws. So, after assessing the closet space I needed in order to make room for Daniel’s nursery, I realized that I needed to just plain get rid of at least half my stock.

“Surely,” I thought, “folks need yarn.”

So I went online, googled “donate yarn,” and found two charities that accept wool yarn. And, after five boxes filled with yarn, sent parcel post today, I have more closet space and the two charities have boxes of sturdy wool yarn, winging themselves through the United States Postal Service.

It’s so cool, that crocheters and knitters can come together to create pieces for people in need. As a crocheter, I sometimes make throws and blankies because I enjoy the process of creating something, even though I may not need it, and often give what I make away to friends and family as impromptu gifts. But it’s good that charities are out there for folks like me to donate not only supplies (like yarn) but also finished pieces as well.🙂

Oh, here’s another place — not for yarn, but for finished pieces, made only from wool:

56 Responses to Donate Yarn to Charity

Not sure if you still have yarn left but I’m a social worker in NY who would love to take it off your hands! I’m starting a knitting and crocheting group for teen girls in NYC. Feel free to email me if its still available! rise316@uasbyw.net Thank you!

Dear Ladies
You all do such wonderful work! I am a South African living in Arkansas, married to an American but am very involved with a charitable group in Cape Town (South Africa), The Mother Theresa Group and Nazareth House for Aids orphans and the retired nuns and priests from the various orders in South Africa. I continue to make blankets (crochet ones for babies and adults) and take them across with me when I visit my daughter who remains in Cape Town. I would be so grateful if anyone has any yarn to donate to this project which for me is ongoing and has been for years. Please contact me at goldenbrocade@yahoo.com if there is anyone out there who is able to help me. I am prepared to pay costs for postage or delivery but it would be a wonderful help as I am finding it financially very hard doing this entirely alone presently.

Thank you so much in anticipation.
Best wishes and blessings to you all.
Louise Cohoe-Ferguson
479-216-4317

Cousin started Scarf It Up….which local women gather Family Friends Members of Community crochet and knit scarves ‘mid December gather at various public places and pass out in the area to random people. Donations of yarn, needles, hooks , patterns. Etc….anything that helps. In living memory of Derek Genereaux. Who passed away Last year at a young age.

Hi,
We have a group of ladies that knit and crochet lap blankets, comfort shawls and chemo caps. All of these items are donated to The Hospital for Special Surgery and Memorial Sloan Kettering.
We would be most appreciative for any donations of acrylic yarn.
You can reach us at: STITCHES11103@gmail or STITCHESNYC on Facebook.
Thank you,
Janet and Debbie

Hello,
Our agency would be interested in providing shipping cost. Because our blankets are for patients in nursing homes/assisted living facilities any yarn has to be washable and acrylic material. Would your yarn fit the category?

I’m in Illinois near Aurora/Naperville – where are you located? I most likely would be able to pick it up if you’re within a couple hours. I just found out about the snuggle project through my sister (she gave me a bunch of yarn – I’ve just started crocheting) and I plan on making the blankets for the local shelters.

I am in Prescott Valley (Dewey) AZ. I have LOTS of yarn to donate, about 4 large trash bags, some of it is full skeins, others are partial skeins in the wrapper or rolled into balls. Please let me know if there are any charities that I can give this yarn to. If it could be picked up, that would be a plus.

I am with a women’s group at a church who knit and crochet items for the homeless, seniors and children. If you wish to donate yarn I can provide a letter from the church for tax deduction purposes. Thanks so much and God Bless.
Sherry gloversherryglover1@yahoo.com

Hello all…
I am part of a couple of different “crochet for charities” (project linus, caps for kids) and I have pretty much run out of ALL of my yarn. I came upon this blog while searching the web for anywhere I might find some free yarn, I saw the post’s here and thought it couldnt hurt to ask. So.. if there is anyone out there with any yarn they arent in need of I would gladly take if off your hands. I am in California and my email is contactwendyb@gmail.com
thank you in advance for any help.
Also.. if anyone has any suggestions where I might find some yarn for free/donated that would be great too.
Thanks again….
Wendy

Seeking yarn donations for hospice foundation
AseraCare Hospice Foundation has partnered with several local churches to help us make lap blankets for our terminally ill patients. We have lots of talented ladies but are running short on yarn. If you would like to donate your extra yarn we would love to receive it however; due to the patient’s conditions, the yarn would need to come from a smoke free home.
If you’re at all interested in donating yarn or AC Moore gift card’s are always welcome and we’ll pick up yarn! Please contact Marlene at aseracarehospice6451@gmail.com or send them to:

Hi Everyone,
Thank you so much for considering donating your yarn to AseraCare Hospice. It was bought to my attention I need to add that the yarn needs to be “washable” yarn since most of our patients live in an assisted living or nursing homes. Thank you again, Marlene Malloy
Volunteer Coordinator
AseraCare Hospice

I am looking for yarn donations. I crochet chemo caps for patients. I have created a Facebook page called Rosebud’s Chemo Caps. If anyone is interested in donating please let me know. I am in Indiana. But willing to send hats wherever they are needed.

I have decided to undertake a year-long crochet project and I need help. I am making sock monkeys and other crocheted critters (amigurumi) to donate to the United Community Action Network in my area, for their Christmas program. UCAN gives needy children clothing for Christmas and it’s a great program, but every kid needs a toy under the tree…don’t you agree? I am a work-at-home mom and I find that crocheting helps me with my anxiety issues when I’m not actively working. If I’m not eating, sleeping, or working…I’m crocheting! I crochet in doctor’s offices, community gatherings, and occasionally, outside in the sunshine. I’m a dedicated crocheter!

I have already started on this project but I am swiftly running out of yarn and in this family of four, there isn’t a much money left for craft supplies. So I am asking for your leftover yarn, your discarded yarn, your “I just don’t like this color” yarn, and even new skeins or gift certificates to craft stores…even Walmart! I can use any yarn, in any color, in any amount, although I don’t prefer the Red Heart Super Saver yarn because it’s not soft and cuddly. I have used it as an accent color though! Acrylic, wool, cotton, hand-spun…whatever you’ve got or would like to give. Polyfil is also needed and appreciated.

If your donation is enough for several pieces, I would be happy to make one for you or a child in your life! It takes a couple of days, at most. If you don’t want the actual piece, I could email you pictures of the critters I make from the yarn you donate. Eventually, I will have a mailing list, maybe even a website. Here’s my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ajax/sharer/?s=18&appid=2530096808&p%5B%5D=257534160989662 So, the 2012 project is Crocheted Critters For Kids. Please help if you can.

(I plan on making 2013’s project Hats and Crocheted Breast Forms for breast cancer survivors/chemo patients. I already have the patterns!)

Hi I have many skeins of many different colors and would like to see if you can take
some or all of them…..??? email address: lsparkle@q.com if you are interested
please feel free to email myself. I am NOT on facebook.

Hi, we are a crochet club at Pleasant Valley and we are in nned of yarn. Any kind or color would be greatly appreciated. We are making lapgans and totes for walkers for the elderly in our area. We have been asked to make things for the elderly and children in need like hats and mittens. This is a bunch of middle school students. They do not have a lot of money but a big heart and time to crochet. We are in need of yarn to fullfill the need that is being asked of us.
Thank you and God Bless

I am looking for people to donate yard to me beginning in January 2012-December 2012. I am going to work all year long, and make scarves for soldiers. Operation Gratitude is something I have just recently learned about, but I would love to be able to send at least 500 by December 2012. I just need help with the yarn!

hello,
are you willing to donate yarn for the kids in need. i am part of this organization called knit a square, where we knit/crochet 8×8 squares and sent it to south africa, where they make blankets and give to abandon kids with aids in the winter time to keep them warm. please help the kids in need. thanks.

Please we are a senior housing group in Rockfore, Illinois and are starting a craft program for those who live here if somebody would like to donate any yarn to us we would be greatfully happy as these items will be giv en out to our kids who live in federal housing here in Rockford. My name is susan itzenthaler and my e-mail is itzenthalers@yahoo.com please con tact me there and thamk you for all your wonderful hearts.
you can also reach me at sitzenthaler@comnectedliving.net

You can even donate yarn to Project Linus (named after the Peanuts Gang kid who carries his blankie around with him everywhere) that knits and delivers blankets to children in need. They have chapters all across the U.S., just go to their website and click on “Chapter Listings” to contact the chapter closest to you.

I’ve recently discovered The Snuggles Project: http://www.snugglesproject.org/ and am looking for anyone willing to donate any amount of leftover/unwanted synthetic yarn so that I can make beds and snuggle pads for homeless animals. If you are interested and ever find yourself in excess of yarn, let me know! Happy Crafting🙂